AUBURN -- Auburn could have backed into the SEC tournament on Saturday without lifting a finger.

Instead, the Tigers clinched their first trip to Hoover since 2003 with an emphatic 18-0 blowout of Tennessee at Plainsman Park.

The victory also moved Auburn (34-17, 16-10 SEC) into a tie for first place in the SEC West, giving players a new goal to shoot for after accomplishing what second-year coach John Pawlowski said was Priority No. 1.

"We can enjoy this, but now we need to move on to our next goal," Pawlowski said. "And our next goal is to win the West. We're certainly in the position you want to be down the stretch."

Auburn is virtually assured of a spot in an NCAA regional, its first since 2005, and even has an outside chance to host a regional.

The postseason news added a festive atmosphere to Saturday's on-field celebration. Pawlowski shook hands and congratulated veteran players individually. One fifth-year senior, reliever Michael Hurst, was even doused with a bucket of a Gatorade.

Junior first baseman Hunter Morris, one of several key players on former coach Tom Slater's top-rated recruiting class three years ago, said the postseason appearance was a "monkey off our back."

"We knew it would happen," he said. "We're disappointed it didn't happen the last two years, but as a group we've matured, we've grown together. We're just a big family in the locker room, and we're excited as can be to have this happen....To be able to accomplish this together is a really exciting thing."

Auburn's 18-run outburst was overshadowed by the Tigers' best pitching performance of the season.

Auburn starter Cole Nelson pitched a three-hit complete game shutout, the Tigers' first in SEC play since Levale Speigner shut out Tennessee in 2002.

Nelson was pegged to a 12-0 lead after a third inning that included a grand slam by Trent Mummey.

"It was nice to have them get a lead so I could pretty much just go out there and throw and let them hit it," Nelson said. "Things worked out. It was a good day."

Tennessee (29-22, 12-14) remains in eighth place in the eight-team SEC tournament field. The Volunteers can still win the series today.

Regardless, Auburn will have a chance to win the West next weekend in the regular season series finale at Ole Miss.